If you’re reading this please know that I’m stressed. It’s this time again that everyone starts panicking and spends crazy hours in the library praying that somehow they will finally get the motivation and strength to carry on revising. Exam periods are awful. I’ve been through them so many times. However my MA doesn’t have any exams. Positive I know, but unfortunately for me I still got work to do. I may have left everything on the last minute too, so it doesn’t really help. I’m almost done though with my essay that it’s due on May 5th, the problem is that I think I’m over the word limit and I need to decide what to cut out. This is always the problem with students who have a lot of essays as a part of their degree. I know it first hand. Firstly they give you a 1.500 word essay and you start panicking that there is no way you’re gonna find 1.500 words to write then you start writing and you realize 1.500 is nothing. That’s why now I always look at the word limit first before even reading my assignment’s title, which normally reads out a 3.000 and I’m thinking “I can do it. I can stay in the word limit. I just need to stop rambling.” But that’s not the case, I also have to submit my dissertation proposal on May 5th and that’s what’s stressing me out. I’ve decided the topic however I need to make it more specific and I’m having troubles deciding cause everything seems so exciting and interesting and I want to write about everything 😀 Tomorrow I’m making a decision and if I change my mind along the way I’m sure there will be a way to change it as long as I’m not changing the topic entirely. I just wanna get over with all these essays and start focusing entirely on my dissertation but until then, patience my friend. That’s right. Patience is the key. Also, treating yourself with little gifts (not primarily materialistically) is a great idea to fill you up with positive vibes and motivation for studying. Have you thought about it? I do it all the time, I thought it would be nice to share a few of them with you:

1.Start a tv series

How’s that gonna help? Well unless you can’t control yourself in getting addicted it works perfectly fine. Find a tv series that you are really excited about (by the way I strongly recommend “Once Upon a Time” on Netflix), and then simply spend your day being productive with your revision and then at night grab some popcorn and snuggle up in bed and watch an episode or two. Maybe three, it’s okay no one’s judging you. It’s a great way to keep you motivated through the day, knowing that you will have something to look forward to at night after you finish with your work.

2. Music over everything

Add music to your life. Add it everywhere. It makes everything better, that’s a fact. You’re washing the dishes? Play some music in the background. You’re walking to the library? Put your headphones and play some music. And if you’re like me, play music at a low volume whilst studying. It lights up your mood and it makes studying more like a hobby rather than a hard work that needs to be done.

3. Your kitchen is your friend

Cook yourself a nice meal, treat yourself.

That Parks and Recreation reference, for those of you who know.

4. Go for a walk

Go outside, walk around in Leicester even if you don’t have to be somewhere. The weather’s been good these last few days so if you need a break from revision go outside for a random walk. Walk around the city or just sit on a random bench in Victoria’s park and just clear your mind, then you’re ready to go back and continue working fresh.

5. Find a study buddy

Remember that everyone’s going through the same feelings and struggles with you this period so why not share the stress?! Keep your friends around, study together at the library, share ideas and discuss about revision. It’s also the easiest idea to use them when you want to practice how well you memorized and understood what you’ve been studying.

Well, that’s 5 easy things you could do during this period and remember that it’s not long left until summer begins 🙂

About Dimitra

Dimitra has now graduated from the University of Leicester.
Hello everyone! My name is Dimitra and I'm a TESOL postgraduate student, which stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. My blog will mainly talk about my course, my student life in Leicester and my passion about learning new languages.

3 responses to “I’m stressed – 5 tips for exam stress”

Great stress boosters you mentioned there. I remember watching sherlock holmes over and over during my exams. I’d like to add a few more to the list, for guys: definitely sports, gaming, gym. For girls, maybe Facebook 😛 , going for a walk with their best chat buddy, cook maybe.

I’m glad you liked my suggestions 🙂 However, don’t you think it could suit for both girls and guys?! I know girls who find themselves relaxing through gym and sports and guys who spent their time exploring in the kitchen 😛 As long as it’s your way of releasing some stress and motivating yourself then it doesn’t matter what it is 🙂